NRM Faces Crisis as Former Aspirants Declare Independent Bids for 2026 Elections
KAMPALA — The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) is grappling with growing internal dissent after several former aspirants in the just-concluded party primaries announced plans to run as independents in the 2026 general elections.
The fallout follows allegations of widespread irregularities during the primaries, with claims of voter intimidation, ballot stuffing, and interference by security forces.
One of the most prominent defections is from former Adjumani District Chairperson and Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Nixon Owole, who lost the Adjumani West County parliamentary flag bearer race to First Deputy Prime Minister Gen. Moses Ali. Owole accuses the party of failing to ensure a free and fair process, vowing to challenge Gen. Ali as an independent candidate.
Political analysts warn that the growing number of disgruntled NRM members could weaken the party’s cohesion ahead of the 2026 polls, especially in regions where internal competition remains fierce.
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